Time to vote in the Presidential Election, despite all the negativity around

Posted on Friday, November 02, 2012 at 09:49 AM

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Time to get out and vote

The presidential election on November 6 brings to an end the most expensive and hotly contested race of modern times.

By the end of the campaign both tickets will have spent $2 billion in total trying to win the White House.

There are those who would argue that it is a colossal waste of money, that elections should be federally funded as they are in Europe in many cases, and that a level playing field should prevail.

Whatever the merits of that, it is clear it will not happen any time soon given the deep pockets of major players on both sides who are doing their best to help influence the election.

Likewise the dissatisfaction with the Electoral College, which can trump the popular vote, is something that has been evidenced since the Bush/Gore race in 2000.

Perhaps if Obama wins in similar fashion both parties will finally have reason to change a system that is not democratic in the true sense of the word.

It is ridiculous that vast areas of this country are not even considered worthy of visits from the contenders, so narrow and narrowing even further are the key states.

Then there is the length of the campaign, which seems to have gone on for two years at least since the first Republican contenders began to limber up to take on the president.

In another way, however, the sheer length is a good thing, helping to quickly unmask the pretenders and allow the most committed and hard-driving candidate to get to the top of the ticket.

Of course the ultimate aim is to get the American people to vote for their favorite contender.

Despite all the negativity, the numbers voting in recent years have been on the increase as the polarization of the electorate has led to more inflamed passion.

This year is likely to be a nail-biter again and will surely rest on a handful of votes across several different states.

It is still a remarkable moment when the greatest democracy in the world passes on power so unremarkably and so free of threats and bluster.

Whoever is elected will take over a country badly in need of strong direction and commitment, and an electorate grown weary of the finger pointing and lack of progress in sorting out the economic mess made after the Great Recession.

We wish the victor well.

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EphraimKibbey | Nov 05, 2012, 05:51 PM EST

Romney "I could'a been a contender!" He's sure no Marlon Brando.

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bonjouryall | Nov 04, 2012, 08:22 AM EST

Well, we know the incumbant hasn't proven capable of providing direction to the country and solving the Great Recession. He's certainly no Bill Clinton or Ronald Reagan whose likeability and pragmatics extended to the opposing party. He doesn't even understand the congressional process of budget making. So give the contender a chance.

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cillowen | Nov 02, 2012, 10:33 PM EDT

wonder if romney of joe smith jr.'s cult will have the irish going gaga for his wild chopping of programs so necessary to the one nation that Lincoln envisaged. Handing out vouchers to Sandy impacted souls and telling them to fend for self would send a message of a caring like that of a Chinese model. Pull those levers for mucho pain dear racists.

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EphraimKibbey | Nov 02, 2012, 02:17 PM EDT

OK, $2 billion spent on 10 swing states. If the candidates had to campaign equally in all 50 states, 5 times $2 billion equals $10 billion. How many billionaires do you think the US has? Who will be able to buy the Presidency at that price? Oh Yea, I forgot about Sheldon of the Chinese Casinos. As the Great Gilda would say "Never Mind."

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CelticQueenUSA | Nov 02, 2012, 11:41 AM EDT

OBAMA111

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BrianO | Nov 02, 2012, 11:20 AM EDT

Mr. Roberts, you will find the electoral college allows small states and rural states to have a say in the federal power structure. WE are the United States, We are not a monolithic federal government though many wish this. The people who vote on the majority are the people who know what the issues are, on both sides. There is a large number of people raised in dependency and on the dole that have no knowledge of how the system works or could care less as long as their check arrives. These self disenfranchised people serve as pawns for democratic hucksters only needed if an election is close. Then they are rounded up told who to vote for and given a pack of smokes.

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